US8105231B2 - Living-body tissue removing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A living-body tissue removing apparatus includes a grip portion, an inserting portion which is connected to the grip portion and is inserted in the body, and an air feed channel which feeds predetermined air in the inserting portion so as to discharge the predetermined air from an opening arranged to the inserting portion.

Description

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/516,649 filed on Oct. 31,2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a living-body tissue removing apparatus which is used for operation for drawing and removing the subcutaneous vessel by using an endoscope.

2. Description of the Related Art

A method for drawing and removing the subcutaneous vessel by using an endoscope and an apparatus thereof are known.

In the bypass graft surgery of the blood vessel in the heart, the blood vessel of the lower limb is used as the blood vessel for bypass. Conventionally, the operation that the skin of the lower limb is cut and the blood vessel is removed so as to entirely view the blood vessels from the inguinal region of the lower limb to the ankle.

The present invention relates to the living-body tissue removing apparatus used for the above-mentioned operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a living-body tissue removing apparatus includes, a grip portion, an inserting portion which is connected to the grip portion and is inserted in the body, and an air feed portion which feeds predetermined air into the inserting portion so as to discharge the predetermined air from an opening arranged to the inserting portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart for explaining an operation method by drawing and removing the subcutaneous vessel;

FIGS. 2 to 6 are diagrams for explaining the operation method shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a structure diagram showing the structure of an operation system comprising an apparatus and a tool used for the operation;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing a trocar;

FIG. 8B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the trocar;

FIGS. 9A to 9E are diagrams showing examples of the surface shape on a guide tube portion at an engaging portion of a clip member;

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a dissector;

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the dissector;

FIGS. 12A to 12C are cross-sectional views along A-A, B-B, and C-C lines shown inFIG. 11, respectively;

FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view showing the dissector from a base end side thereof;

FIG. 14 is a side view showing a harvester;

FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view showing the structure of a front end of the harvester;FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a locking shaft shown inFIG. 15;FIG. 17 is a diagram shown in a direction of an arrow A inFIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a top view showing a bipolar cutter;FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view along an A-A line inFIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation structure of the harvester in the longitudinal axis direction;FIG. 21 is a conceptual diagram showing the attachment of avein keeper402 from an arrow A shown inFIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing the air feed structure of the harvester in the longitudinal axis direction;FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view along an A-A line shown inFIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a first diagram for explaining the operation of the vein keeper of the harvester;FIG. 25 is a second diagram for explaining the operation of the vein keeper of the harvester;FIG. 26 is a third diagram for explaining the operation of the vein keeper of the harvester;

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the appearance of a disposable dissector;FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the appearance of the disposable harvester;FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an accommodating case which accommodates the dissector and the harvester shown inFIGS. 27 and 28; and

FIGS. 30A to 31C are diagrams for explaining a front end portion of the dissector according to modifications.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A description is individually given of an operation method, an operation system, a trocar, a dissector, and a harvester according to the present invention.

(1) Operation Method

FIG. 1 is a flowchart for explaining an operation method for drawing and removing the subcutaneous vessel.FIGS. 2 to 6 are diagrams for explaining the operation method. A description is given of the operation method for removing the blood vessel with reference toFIGS. 2 to 6.

In the bypass graft surgery of the heart, the blood vessel of the lower limb is used for the blood vessel for bypass. A description is given of the case of removing the entire length of the great saphenous vein (hereinafter, simply referred to as the blood vessel) from the femoral portion to the ankle of the lower limb as a removing target blood vessel, which is used for the bypass. Later, a description will be given of the detailed structure of a dissector, a trocar, and a harvester as tools used for the removal. The dissector and the harvester are the living-body tissue removing apparatus. Further, an endoscope is inserted in the dissector and the harvester. An operator removes the blood vessel while viewing an endoscope image. The endoscope is rigid, and is connected to a TV monitor via a TV camera head connected to an eyepiece portion, thereby displaying an endoscope image on the screen of the TV monitor. Illuminating light is irradiated from a front end portion of the rigid endoscope, thereby illuminating the subcutaneous tissue and ablood vessel11.

Referring toFIG. 2, a removingtarget blood vessel11 exists between aninguinal region13 of alower limb12 and anankle14. The removedblood vessel11 has a length of 60 cm.

First, the operator specifies the position of the blood vessel11 (step (hereinafter, abbreviated to S)1). The position of theblood vessel11 is specified by the operator's tactile sensation or by a device such as a sonar. Next, the operator creates one portion, e.g., askin cut portion16 having the length of 2.5 cm of the cutting opening by using a knife slightly under aknee15 on the top of the specifiedblood vessel11 along the direction of the blood vessel11 (S2). At theskin cut portion16, theblood vessel11 is exposed and the tissue around theblood vessel11 is dissected (S3).

The tissue around theblood vessel11 over the entire length thereof is dissected by using the dissector (S4). Specifically, the operator sets a trocar21 to theskin cut portion16, and passes the dissector through aguide tube portion22 of thetrocar21. Further, the operator gradually inserts the dissector in the direction (shown by an arrow A1) from theskin cut portion16 to theinguinal region13 while viewing the endoscope image, and slowly dissects theblood vessel11 from the peripheral tissue. The endoscope image is necessary for the operator to dissect the peripheral tissue along theblood vessel11.

Upon dissecting the peripheral tissue of theblood vessel11, the skin surface is the up direction of theblood vessel11 and then the operator dissects theblood vessel11 in the up and down directions thereof, and further dissects theblood vessel11 in the left and right directions thereof, thereby completely dissecting the peripheral tissue along the entire circumference of theblood vessel11. By dissecting the peripheral tissue throughout the entire circumference of theblood vessel11, the branch of theblood vessel11 is preferably viewed in the endoscope image.

Upon ending the dissection of the peripheral tissue of theblood vessel11 in the direction of theinguinal region13, the dissector is taken out from the trocar. The direction of the trocar of theskin cut portion16 is changed, the dissector is gradually inserted in the direction (shown by an arrow A2) of theankle14 from theskin cut portion16, and theblood vessel11 is dissected from the peripheral tissue while viewing the endoscope image.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the dissector is inserted subcutaneously under thelower limb12 via thetrocar21 from theskin cut portion16 in the direction of theinguinal region13. Thetrocar21 comprises: a cylindricalguide tube portion22 for inserting an insertingportion32 of adissector31; a sealingportion23; and a fixingportion24 for fixing the dissector to the skin. Upon setting thetrocar21 to theskin cut portion16, theguide tube portion22 is inserted in the direction of the inguinal region from theskin cut portion16, and is fixed to the skin by the fixingportion24. The insertingportion32 of thedissector31 is inserted subcutaneously under the skin of thelower limb12 via theguide tube portion22 of thetrocar21 fixed to theskin cut portion16 by using the fixingportion24. As will be described later, an endoscope inserting portion is inserted in an insertingportion32. Since the inserting direction of thedissector31 is along the direction of theblood vessel11, the operator gradually inserts the dissector so as to dissect the peripheral tissue of theblood vessel11 therefrom while viewing the endoscope image. That is, the inserting operation is not suddenly performed under theinguinal region13 along theblood vessel11 from theskin cut portion16. By advancing and returning thedissector31 along the inserting direction, the portion ofblood vessel11 to theinguinal region13 is gradually dissected and further the portion of theblood vessel11 to theankle14 is dissected.

In this case, the gas of, e.g., carbon dioxide is fed from anair feed tube34 connected to agrip portion33 of thedissector31 by using an air feed function arranged to thedissector31. The gas is discharged from an opening35aarranged to a front end portion of the insertingportion32. Theblood vessel11 is dissected from the peripheral tissue thereof, and the gas of carbon dioxide exists between the dissected tissue and the blood vessel. Therefore, the field of the endoscope operation is wide, the visible recognition is improved, and the operator easily performs the dissecting operation.

Next, thedissector31 is taken out from thetrocar21. Thetrocar21 is in the same state and a harvester is inserted. Further, the branch of theblood vessel11 is cut from theskin cut portion16 to the ankle14 (S5).

Abranch11ais cut by inserting aharvester41 from theskin cut portion16 to the down side of theankle14 and by cutting thebranch11aof theblood vessel11 one by one to theskin cut portion16 from theankle14.

Abipolar cutter43 as an electric knife arranged to a front end portion of the insertingportion42 of theharvester41 cuts thebranch11a. Thebranch11acut by thebipolar cutter43 has a cut portion at which the bleeding almost stops. Theentire branch11aof theblood vessel11 is cut to theankle14 by using theharvester41.

Although the structure of theharvester41 will be described later, it is briefly described here. Theblood vessel11 is hooked to avein keeper45 as a blood vessel keeping portion arranged to the front end of theharvester41. Upon hooking theblood vessel11 to thevein keeper45, thevein keeper45 of theharvester41 has a mechanism for opening a part of thevein keeper45, hooking theblood vessel11 to the opened portion, and closing the part of the opened portion after the hooking operation. Further, thevein keeper45 is movable in the axial direction of theharvester41, and theharvester41 is moved in the direction in the apart direction of thevein keeper45 from the front end portion of the endoscope. Therefore, the hookedblood vessel11 is easily viewed in the endoscope image.

Thebipolar cutter43 has, at the front end portion thereof, a groove having the width of 0.5 mm. Upon cutting thebranch11a, thebranch11ais inserted in the groove to be pressed in the groove, thereby cutting thebranch11ain the compressing state. Further, theharvester41 has, at the front end thereof, a wiper for wiping the deposit attached to a window portion of the front end portion of the rigid endoscope on the inside thereof surrounded by a wiper guarding portion. A part of the cylindrical-shaped wiper guarding portion has a sweeping hole for sweeping the deposit wiped by the wiper. The deposit includes the blood, the fat, and the smoke generated by the electric knife.

Theharvester41 has an air feed function. The gas of, e.g., carbon dioxide is fed from anair feed tube44 connected to agrip portion400 of theharvester41. The gas of carbon dioxide is discharged from an opening (not shown) arranged to the front end portion of the insertingportion42. Therefore, the cutting operation of thebranch11aof theblood vessel11 becomes easy.

Incidentally, since a plurality ofbranches11aexist at theblood vessel11, the operator operates thevein keeper45 at the front end portion of theharvester41 and holds theblood vessel11 while viewing the endoscope image at the front end of the insertingportion42 in theharvester41. Further, the operator cuts thebranch11aby thebipolar cutter43 while checking thebranches11aone by one. The structure of thevein keeper45 will be described in detail later.

A small skin-cut-portion having the length of the cutting opening of 1 cm or less is formed in theankle14. The end portion of theblood vessel11 is drawn from askin cut portion17. A thread is taken to the drawn blood vessel or forceps are arranged to theblood vessel11. Thus, the end portion is treated (S6). In this case, theharvester41 near theskin cut portion16 is inserted under the skin of theankle14 again. The operator grips theblood vessel11 by using the forceps while viewing theblood vessel11 under the skin of theskin cut portion17 and the forceps. Then, theblood vessel11 is drawn from theskin cut portion17.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the treatment of the end portion of theblood vessel11. In the treatment of the end portion of theblood vessel11, a part of theblood vessel11 is knotted by a suture and theblood vessel11 is cut at aposition11con the side of theknee15 rather than aknot11b. Then, the operator performs the skin cut operation at theskin cut portion17 by closing theskin cut portion17 with a tape or something like that.

Theharvester41 is taken out from thetrocar21. The direction of theguide tube portion22 of thetrocar21 at theskin cut portion16 is changed to the direction of theinguinal region13. Theharvester41 is inserted and thebranch11aof theblood vessel11 is cut from theskin cut portion16 to the inguinal region13 (S7). As mentioned above in S6, the operator cuts thebranch11aof theblood vessel11 from theskin cut portion16 to theinguinal region13 while viewing the endoscope image.

Upon cutting thebranch11a, theharvester41 is first inserted under theinguinal region13 from theskin cut portion16, and thebranches11aof theblood vessel11 are cut one by one from theinguinal region13 to theskin cut portion16.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the harvester is inserted under the skin of thelower limb12 via thetrocar21 from theskin cut portion16. The insertingportion42 of theharvester41 is inserted under the skin of thelower limb12 via theguide tube portion22 of thetrocar21 fixed to theskin cut portion16 by the fixingportion24. As will be described later, the endoscope inserting portion is inserted in the insertingportion42. Theharvester41 is inserted along the direction of theblood vessel11 and therefore the operator cuts thebranches11aof theblood vessel11 while viewing the endoscope image.

Upon ending the cut operation of thebranches11aof theblood vessel11, referring toFIG. 4, a small skin-cut portion having the length of the cutting opening of 1 cm or less is formed in theinguinal region13. The end portion of theblood vessel11 is drawn from askin cut portion18. A suture is taken to the drawn blood vessel or forceps are arranged to theblood vessel11. Thus, the end portion is treated (S8). In this case, theharvester41 near theskin cut portion16 is inserted again under the skin of theinguinal region13. The operator holds theblood vessel11 by using the forceps while viewing the forceps and theblood vessel11 under the skin of theskin cut portion18. Then, theblood vessel11 is drawn from theskin cut portion18. As treated at theskin cut portion17 of theankle14, the end portion of theblood vessel11 is treated by knotting a part of theblood vessel11 with the suture and by cutting theblood vessel11 at aposition11eon theknee15 side rather than aknot11d. Theskin cut portion18 is then cut by closing theskin cut portion18 by the operator with the tape.

Referring toFIG. 6, the operator removes theblood vessel11 of 60 cm from the skin cut portion16 (S9).FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the state for removing theblood vessel11 from theskin cut portion16. Upon ending the removal of theblood vessel11, any hole is opened at the removedblood vessel11 and then since theblood vessel11 in this case is not used as the blood vessel for bypass. Therefore, the operator inspects the leakage of the blood vessel11 (S10).

In the state in which theentire branches11aare knotted, a syringe is attached to one end of theblood vessel11 in consideration of the valve direction of theblood vessel11. Then, the physiological saline solution is flowed in theblood vessel11. The operator inspects the leakage of theblood vessel11 depending on whether or not a hole for flowing out the physiological saline solution exists. Further, the operator knots theentire branches11aof theblood vessel11 to prevent the leakage of the blood from the end of thebranch11awhose end is cut.

If the hole for leaking the physiological saline solution exists, the hole at the portion is sutured (S11). Finally, theskin cut portion16 is sutured (S12).

As compared with the conventional operation in which the tissue at a predetermined portion of thelower limb12 is incised so as to entirely view theblood vessel11 from theinguinal region13 of thelower limb12 to theankle14, the above-mentioned method for removing the blood vessel using the endoscope has the low invasiveness for the patient because the number of skin cut portions is three. For example, the time until the patient can walk after the operation may be able to be reduced.

(2) Operation System

FIG. 7 is a structure diagram showing the structure of an operation system comprising an apparatus and a tool used for the above-mentioned operation. Anoperation system101 comprises: thetrocar21; thedissector31; theharvester41; and arigid endoscope51. Theoperation system101 further comprises: aTV monitor102 as a display device; a camera control unit (hereinafter, referred to as a CCU)103; aTV camera device104; alight source device105; alight guide cable106; anelectric knife device107; and anair feed device108.

One end of thelight guide cable106 is connected to a lightguide connector portion52 of therigid endoscope51. Another end of thelight guide cable106 is connected to thelight source device105. The light from thelight source device105 is supplied to therigid endoscope51 via thelight guide cable106 in which a light guide of an optical fiber is inserted. The subject is illuminated with light from the front end portion of therigid endoscope51. A TV camera head portion of theTV camera device104 is connected to aneyepiece portion53 on the base end side of therigid endoscope51. TheTV camera device104 is connected to theCCU103, and the image of the subject captured by therigid endoscope51 is displayed on the screen of the connectedTV monitor102.

An insertingportion54 at the front end of therigid endoscope51 is inserted in a rigid-endoscope inserting channel36 of the dissector31 from the base end side of thedissector31. Similarly, the insertingportion54 at the front end of therigid endoscope51 is inserted in a rigid-endoscope inserting channel46 of theharvester41 from the base end side of theharvester41.

Theair feed tube34 of thedissector31 is connected to theair feed device108, and the gas of, e.g., carbon dioxide is fed from theair feed device108 to theair feed tube34. Further, the gas of carbon dioxide is discharged from the opening35aas the air feed port.

Theair feed tube44 of theharvester41 is further connected to theair feed device108, and the gas of, e.g., carbon dioxide is fed from theair feed device108 to theair feed tube44. Further, the gas of the carbon dioxide is discharged from an opening (not shown inFIG. 7) as an air feed port.

Theharvester41 has anelectric cable47 for thebipolar cutter43. A connector arranged to the base end side of theelectric cable47 connects theharvester41 to theelectric knife device107.

The operator performs the above-mentioned operation by using theoperation system101 having the above-mentioned structure.

(3) Trocar

FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing thetrocar21.FIG. 8B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing thetrocar21. Thetrocar21 comprises: theguide tube portion22 as a guide sheath; the sealingmember23; and the fixingportion24 for fixing to the skin. Theguide tube portion22 has a cylindricalhollow portion25 for inserting the insertingportions32 and42 of thedissector31 and theharvester41. The front end side of theguide tube portion22 is shaped like being cut at a predetermined angle, e.g., an angle of 45° in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of theguide tube portion22. The base end side of theguide tube portion22 is shaped like being cut in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of theguide tube portion22. Further, the base end side of theguide tube portion22 has the sealingmember23. The sealingmember23 contains an elastic member, and has ahole26 having a inner diameter on the front end side, smaller than that of theguide tube portion22. A projectedportion27 is arranged onto the inner peripheral surface of thehole26 on the front end side so that the inner diameter on the front end side is smaller than that on the base end side. The above-shapedhole26 sets, to the airtight state under the skin, the insertingportion32 or42 of thedissector31 or theharvester41 inserted in theguide tube portion22.

A clippingmember29 using the elastic force of atorsion spring28 as an elastic member is arranged to the outer periphery of theguide tube portion22 of thetrocar21. The clippingmember29 serving as a fixing member comprises afront end portion29aand abase end portion29band is plate-shaped with downturning of the corners. Thetorsion spring28 is arranged in the middle of the plate-shaped portion which is bent with downturning of the corners.

Thetorsion spring28 always presses thefront end portion29aof the clippingmember29 to the outer circumferential surface of theguide tube portion22. Thebase end portion29bof the clippingmember29 is pressed down against the pressing force of thetorsion spring28 and thus thefront end portion29ais detached from the outer circumferential surface of theguide tube portion22. The skin or the like of thelower limb12 is sandwiched between thefront end portion29aof the clippingmember29 and the outer circumferential surface of theguide tube portion22 by pressing down thebase end portion29bof the clippingmember29 to the side of the outer circumferential surface of theguide tube portion22. Here, in place of thetorsion spring28, a plate spring may be used and the elastic force of the plate spring may be used to sandwich the skin or the like of thelower limb12.

The plurality of circular projectedportions22aare circumferentially arranged to the outer circumferential surface of theguide tube portion22. The projectedportions22amay be arranged integrally with theguide tube portion22, or may be arranged separately from theguide tube portion22. Facing to the outer peripheral surface side of theguide tube portion22, an engagingportion29cis formed on thefront end portion29aof the clippingmember29. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, in the state in which the skin or the like of thelower limb12 is sandwiched by the pressing force of thetorsion spring28 between thefront end portion29aof the clippingmember29 and the outer circumferential surface of theguide tube portion22, the skin or the like of thelower limb12 is certainly sandwiched and is fixed by the engagingportion29cof the clippingmember29 and the outer circumferential surface of theguide tube portion22. Therefore, the engagingportion29cof the clippingmember29 and the engagingportion22aof theguide tube portion22 form the fixingportion24 having a so-called non-slip mechanism.

FIGS. 9A to 9E are diagrams showing examples of the surface shape of the engagingportion29cof the clippingmember29 facing toward theguide tube portion22.

FIG. 9A is a diagram showing the example of the surface shape of the engagingportion29cof the clippingmember29, which is obtained by forming two intersectional triangular grooves. Referring toFIG. 9A, the surface of the engagingportion29chas a plurality of triangular pyramids.

FIG. 9B is a diagram showing the example of the surface shape, in which the cross section in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of thefront end portion29aof the clippingmember29 has a plurality of groove shapes like isosceles triangle. Referring toFIG. 9B, the surface of the engagingportion29cis shaped by forming a plurality of triangular grooves in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of thefront end portion29aof the clippingmember29.

FIG. 9C is a diagram showing the example of the surface shape, having a plurality of projected portions on the surface of the engagingportion29cof the clippingmember29. Referring toFIG. 9C, the surface of the engagingportion29chas a plurality of cylindrical projected portions.

FIG. 9D is a diagram showing the example of the cross section having a plurality grooves of right-angled triangle in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of thefront end portion29aof the clippingmember29. Referring toFIG. 9D, the surface of the engagingportion29chas a plurality of triangular grooves having a surface portion perpendicular to the axial direction of thefront end portion29aand a surface portion at a predetermined angle to the axial direction of thefront end portion29a.

FIG. 9E is a diagram showing the example of the surface shape of the engagingportion29cof the clippingmember29, being finished coarsely. Referring toFIG. 9E, the surface of the engagingportion29cis like a rasping surface. The coarseness of the rasping surface is about No. 30.

The above-mentioned surface may be shaped integrally with thefront end portion29aof the clippingmember29. Or, it may be shaped separately from the clippingmember29.

(4) Dissector

FIG. 10 is a side view showing thedissector31. A dissectingmember37 is arranged at the front end of the metallic insertingportion32 of thedissector31 serving as the living-body tissue removing apparatus. The dissectingmember37 contains transparent resin, is cylindrical-shaped on the base end side, and is conically shaped on the front end side. The dissectingmember37 is a transparent member and therefore, upon inserting the dissectingmember37 under the skin, it is possible to obtain, by therigid endoscope51, the subject image illuminated by the illuminating light from the front end portion of therigid endoscope51 inserted in the rigid-endoscope inserting channel36. The rigid-endoscope inserting channel36 has an endoscope inserting portion for inserting arigid endoscope51 in the inserting portion of thedissector31.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing thedissector31.FIGS. 12A to 12C are cross-sectional views along A-A, B-B, and C-C lines inFIG. 11, respectively. Ametallic tube member36ahaving the rigid-endoscope inserting channel36 is inserted along the axial direction of thedissector31 therein from the base end side of thegrip portion33 to the front end portion of the insertingportion32. A first connectingmember38 is arranged on the front end side of thegrip portion33. Asheath39 of the insertingportion32 is fit into the front end side of the first connectingmember38. Further, the front end side of thegrip portion33 is fit into the front end side of the first connectingmember38. The first connectingmember38 comprises ahole38acommunicating an inner space of thegrip portion33 with the inner space of themetallic sheath39. Theair feed tube34 is fit into thegrip portion33 at one end of thehole38a. Another end of thehole38ais opened in anouter space39aof atube member36ain themetallic sheath39. Anair feed connector34ais arranged at the base end of theair feed tube34. Theair feed connector34ais connected to a connector of the tube connected to theair feed device108.

The dissectingmember37 is connected to thesheath39 of the insertingportion32 by a second connectingmember58a. The dissectingmember37 is fit into the front end side of the second connectingmember58a, and thesheath39 is fit into the base end side of the second connectingmember58a. Thus, the dissectingmember37 is airtightly connected to thesheath39.

Threecoronoid portions58bare formed on the base end side of the second connectingmember58a. A front end of acoronoid portion58bhas a projectedportion58cdirected to the radiating direction from the central axis on the plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the insertingportion32. Thesheath39 has theholes35 at the positions corresponding to the front end portions of the threecoronoid portions58b. The hole of thesheath39 in the insertingportion32 is formed so as to engage the projectedportions58cto theholes35. The dimensions of the projectedportion58cand theholes35 are set so as to form a space between theholes35 and the projectedportion58cwhile the projectedportion58care engaged to theholes35, thereby forming threeopenings35a. The outer diameter of the second connectingmember58aon the base end side is larger than the outer diameter of thesheath39.

The gas of carbon dioxide fed from theair feed tube34 is introduced in a sealedspace39aformed by the first connectingmember38, the second connectingmember58a, thesheath39, and thetube member36avia the first connectingmember38. The introduced gas is discharged to the outside of the insertingportion32 via theopenings35afrom the sealedspace39a. Theair feed tube34 has an air feed portion which feeds the gas of carbon dioxide in the inserting portion of thedissector31, and further has a discharge port to the outside of the insertingportion32 from the opening35a.

FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view showing the dissector31 from the base end side. Referring toFIG. 13, in order to easily and certainly fix therigid endoscope51 to the base end portion of thedissector31, aguide groove33bis arranged along the axial direction of thedissector31 on the inner peripheral surface of abase end portion33aof thedissector31. Further, a fixingmember33cis fixed to theguide groove33bby a screw. The fixingmember33cis formed by bending a metallic plate-shaped member like being U-shaped. Both end portions like being U-shaped are bent to have projected portions directed to the inside of the U-shape. A projectedportion52ais arranged on the front end side of theeyepiece portion53 in therigid endoscope51.

Anotch portion33dis arranged to thebase end portion33a, and the lightguide connector portion52 is moved along thenotch portion33d.

Upon inserting therigid endoscope51 from the base end portion of thedissector31, therigid endoscope51 is inserted to the base end portion of thedissector31 so that the projectedportion52aenters thedissector31 along theguide groove33barranged to the inner peripheral surface of thebase end portion33aand the lightguide connector portion52 enters it along thenotch portion33d. Therigid endoscope51 is inserted from the base end portion of thedissector31, then, the projectedportion52ais moved along the inside of theguide groove33b, and the projectedportion52ais over the projected portion of the metallic fixingmember33cagainst the elastic force of the fixingmember33c. In this case, the lightguide connector portion52 is moved along thenotch portion33darranged to thebase end portion33a.

Therefore, upon inserting therigid endoscope51 from the base end portion of thedissector31, the positional relationship between the dissector31 and therigid endoscope51 is set so that the lightguide connector portion52 enters thenotch portion33dand the projectedportion52aenters theguide groove33b. After that, therigid endoscope51 is inserted in thedissector31. Therigid endoscope51 is inserted in thedissector31, then, the projectedportion52aof therigid endoscope51 is engaged and fixed in the halfway in such a manner that it is sandwiched by the fixingmember33c, and the elastic force of the fixingmember33cprevents the easy pulling-out operation of therigid endoscope51.

Upon engagement and fixing, the clicking noise is generated between the engagedrigid endoscope51 and thedissector31. Therefore, the user confirms the setting by the clicking noise.

FIGS. 30A to 31B are diagrams for explaining the front end portion of a dissector according to modifications.FIGS. 30A and 30B are diagrams according to a first modification.FIG. 30A is a cross-sectional view showing the front end portion of adissector131.FIG. 30B is a cross-sectional view along an A-A line inFIG. 30A.

Referring toFIG. 30A, a second connectingmember158ais engaged into asheath139, thereby forming a sealed space139a. The second connectingmember158ahas a plurality ofair holes158dcommunicated with the inside of a dissectingmember137 from a sealed space139a. The dissectingmember137 has ahole135 at the area except for the area within a field-of-view angle51aof therigid endoscope51 inserted in thedissector131.

The gas introduced to the sealed space139ais discharged to the outside of an insertingportion132 via the air holes158dand thehole135.

FIGS. 31A,31B, and31C are diagrams according to a second modification.FIG. 31A is a cross-sectional view showing the front end portion of adissector231.FIG. 31B is a cross-sectional view along an A-A line inFIG. 31A.FIG. 31C is a cross-sectional view along a B-B line inFIG. 31A.

According to the second modification, a dissectingmember237 is fixed to asheath239. The dissectingmember237 has a plurality ofair holes235 and the gas introduced to a sealedspace239ais discharged to the outside of an insertingportion232 via air holes235. In this case, since the dissectingmember237 is sealed, it is possible to prevent the invasion of fat or body fluid in the field ofview51aof therigid endoscope51.

(5) Harvester

FIG. 14 is a side view showing theharvester41. At the front end of the metallic insertingportion42 of theharvester41 serving as the living-body tissue removing apparatus, thebipolar cutter43 is arranged to the top thereof and thevein keeper45 is arranged to the bottom and inner side thereof. Abipolar cut lever401 and avein keeper lever402 are arranged to thegrip portion400 connected to the base end of the insertingportion42. Thebipolar cut lever401 and thevein keeper lever402 advance or return along the longitudinal axis and then thebipolar cutter43 and thevein keeper45 advance or return in front of the insertingportion42 in association with the advance/return operation thereof.

The structure of theharvester41 on the base end side is the same as that of thedissector31 on the base end side and therefore a description thereof is omitted (refer toFIG. 13).

FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view showing the structure of the front end of theharvester41.FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a lockingaxis414 shown inFIG. 15.FIG. 17 is a diagram in a direction of an arrow A inFIG. 15.

Referring toFIG. 15, thevein keeper45 serving as a blood vessel holding member of theharvester41 comprises: a bloodvessel keeping bed411 which is U-shaped; avein keeper shaft412 which keeps the bloodvessel keeping bed411 that can advance and return in the longitudinal direction; and a lockingshaft414 which advances and returns in the longitudinal axis direction of the bloodvessel keeping bed411, forming aclosed space413 for accommodating the blood vessel in parallel with thevein keeper shaft412 in the U-shaped bloodvessel keeping bed411. The lockingshaft414 is locked to the bloodvessel keeping bed411 similarly to thevein keeper shaft412 in the state shown inFIG. 15, thereby forming thespace413. However, the locking state of the lockingshaft414 is reset, thereby releasing theclosed space413 and advancing and returning theblood vessel11 in theclosed space413 to be accommodated, as shown inFIG. 16.

The front-end side surface of the insertingportion42 having thebipolar cutter43 has anotch portion415. A cutter shaft (which will be described later) for advancing/returning thebipolar cutter43 is inserted in the insertingportion42 via thenotch portion415. A guardingportion416 having the arcuate cross-section is arranged to the inner wall surface of thenotch415. On the front-end inner surface of the insertingportion42, awiper417 for wiping the deposit attached to a window portion of the front end portion of therigid endoscope51 is arranged.

That is, in thewiper417 serving as a wiper member, one end of thewiper417 functions as a shaft and the other end of thewiper417 is slid on the surface of the window portion, so as to sweep the deposit adhered to the window portion of therigid endoscope51. The one end of thewiper417 functions as a shaft and then another end of thewiper417 sweeps an inner side of a guardingportion416, thereby forming a wiper guarding portion. A part of the cylindrical wiper guarding portion has asweeping hole419 serving as a hole portion for externally sweeping a deposit418 (refer toFIG. 17) wiped by thewiper417. Thedeposit418 includes the blood, fat, and smoke generated by the electric knife.

Referring toFIG. 15, thewiper417 is arranged to the base end side rather than the front end surface of the tube-shaped insertingportion42, namely, at the position inside of the insertingportion42. In order to prevent the removed deposit from being placed in the insertingportion42 upon sliding thewiper417 and to sweep the deposit out of the insertingportion42, thesweeping hole419 is arranged at the position in the sliding direction of thewiper417.

Thewiper417 is swept by a wiper lever419 (refer toFIG. 14) via a wiper shaft (not shown, refer toFIG. 23). That is, thewiper417 is rotated at one end of thewiper417 as the axis on the surface perpendicular to the shaft of the insertingportion42 by rotating thewiper lever419 serving as a wiper operating member around the shaft of thegrip portion400.

Referring toFIG. 17 as a diagram in a direction of an arrow A inFIG. 15, an opening of anair feed channel421 for feeding air and an opening of a rigid-endoscope inserting channel420, namely, an endoscope opening are adjacently arranged at a predetermined inside portion from the front end surface of the insertingportion42. Therigid endoscope51 is inserted through the opening of the rigid-endoscope inserting channel420.

FIG. 18 is a top view showing thebipolar cutter43.FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing an A-A cross-section inFIG. 18.

Referring toFIG. 18, thebipolar cutter43 comprises: abranch keeping member422 containing a transparent insulating member; an applyingelectrode423 as one electrode of the bipolar; and afeedback electrode424 as another electrode of the bipolar. Referring toFIG. 19, thebipolar cutter43 comprises the layer structure formed in three-layers construction including thefeedback electrode424, thebranch keeping member422, and the applyingelectrode423, arranging thefeedback electrode424 on the top layer.

A V-shapedgroove425 is formed on the front end side of thebranch keeping member422. A slit groove426 having the width of 0.5 mm is formed on the base end of the V-shapedgroove425.

Upon cutting thebranch11a, thebranch11ais guided to the slit groove426 along the V-shapedgroove425 of thebranch keeping member422. Thebranch11aenters the slit groove426 to be pressed, thereby keeping the compressing state of thebranch11ainto the slit groove426. In this state, the high-frequency current flows to thefeedback electrode424 from the applyingelectrode423, thereby cutting and bleeding-stopping of thebranch11a.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation structure of theharvester41 in the longitudinal axis direction.FIG. 21 is a conceptual diagram for attachment of thevein keeper lever402 in the direction of an arrow A shown inFIG. 20.

Referring toFIG. 20, ametallic tube member420aforming a rigid-endoscope inserting channel420 is inserted in theharvester41 along the axial direction of theharvester41 from the base end side of thegrip portion400 to the front end portion of the insertingportion42. The rigid-endoscope inserting channel420 has an endoscope inserting portion for inserting therigid endoscope51 at the inserting portion of theharvester41. Thebipolar cutter43 is connected to thebipolar cut lever401 arranged to thegrip portion400 by abipolar shaft450 inserted in the insertingportion42. Thebipolar cut lever401 advances and returns along the longitudinal axis. Then, the advancing and returning force is transmitted to thebipolar cutter43 via thebipolar shaft450, and thebipolar cutter43 advances and returns in front of the insertingportion42.

Similarly, thevein keeper45 is connected to thevein keeper lever402 arranged to thegrip portion400 by thevein keeper shaft412 inserted in the insertingportion42. Thevein keeper lever402 advances and returns along the longitudinal direction and then the advancing and returning force is transmitted to thevein keeper45 via thevein keeper shaft412. Thus, thevein keeper45 advances and returns in front of the insertingportion42.

Thevein keeper lever402 and thevein keeper shaft412 are integrally moved onto the inner surface of thegrip portion400 by a clickingmechanism451 for pin-pressing the inner surface of thegrip portion400. When the clickingmechanism451 is at any of three clickinggrooves452 arranged on the inner surface of thegrip portion400, thevein keeper lever402 and thevein keeper shaft412 are stably kept. The force acts in the longitudinal axis direction, thereby easily escaping the clickingmechanism451 from the clickinggrooves452.

Thevein keeper lever402 is detachably connected to a lockinglever453. Alocking button454 is pressed down, thereby separating thevein keeper lever402 from the lockinglever453. The lockinglever453 is connected to the lockingshaft414, the lockinglever453 advances and returns in the separating state from thevein keeper lever402, and thus theblood vessel11 advances and returns to be accommodated in the closed space413 (refer toFIGS. 15 and 16).

Referring toFIG. 21, thevein keeper lever402 is fixed to thevein keeper shaft412 by the adhesion and ascrew460.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing the air feed structure of theharvester41 in the longitudinal axis direction.FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section along an A-A line shown inFIG. 22.

Referring toFIG. 22, a metallic air-feed pipe461 forming anair feed channel421 is inserted in theharvester41 along the axial direction of theharvester41 from the base end side of thegrip portion400 to the front end portion of the insertingportion42. Theair feed tube44 is fit into thegrip portion400 at one end of the air-feed pipe461 on the base end side of thegrip portion400. Theair feed connector44ais arranged to the base end of theair feed tube44. Theair feed connector44ais connected to a connector of a tube connected to theair feed device108. Anair feed pipe461 has an air feed portion for feeding air of carbon dioxide gas to the inside of the inserting portion of theharvester41, and further has a discharge port to the outside of the insertingportion42 from the opening of the front end surface of the insertingportion42.

According to the embodiment, as mentioned above, referring toFIG. 24, thevein keeper lever402 advances and returns, thereby advancing and returning thevein keeper45 at the front end. When the endoscope image upon cutting theblood vessel11 is as shown inFIG. 25 and the state of thebranch11ais not confirmed, referring toFIG. 26, thevein keeper lever402 advances in the longitudinal axis direction, thereby advancing thevein keeper45 from the front end. Referring toFIG. 26, it is possible to visually recognize the endoscope image suitable to the confirmation of the state of thebranch11a.

According to the embodiment, referring toFIGS. 27 and 28, thedissector31 is integrally arranged to theair feed tube34 and theair feed connector34a, and theharvester41 is integrally arranged to theelectric cable47, aconnector470 arranged to the base end of theelectric cable47, theair feed tube44, and theair feed connector44a. Thedissector31 and theharvester41 are disposable.

Thedissector31 and theharvester41 are disposable and therefore are accommodated in a disposableaccommodating case480 shown inFIG. 29 together with thetrocar21. Thedissector31 and theharvester41 are packed in a sterilized pack (not shown) and are conveyed to a desired hospital.

Referring toFIG. 29, theaccommodating case480 comprises: accommodatingspaces491 and492 for arranging the front end sides of thedissector31 and theharvester41 in the same direction; anaccommodating space493 for arranging thetrocar21 provided on the front end side between the dissector31 and theharvester41; and anaccommodating space494 for arranging theconnector470 and theelectric cable47 of theharvester41 placed around the center of theharvester41 and thedissector31. Upon accommodating theconnector470 and theelectric cable47 in theaccommodating space494, theconnector470 is used as a cover for preventing the dash-out of theelectric cable47.

Claims (11)

1. An apparatus for treating a blood vessel in a living-body tissue, the apparatus comprising:

a grip portion;

an inserting portion which is connected to the grip portion, wherein the inserting portion has a base end and a front end, and the inserting portion is insertable in the living-body tissue;

an endoscope channel which is formed along a longitudinal direction of the inserting portion and into which an endoscope is insertable;

a first channel, a second channel, and a third channel provided along the longitudinal direction of the inserting portion;

a first support member having a base end and a front end and being movable to advance and return along the first channel, the front end of the first support member being connected to a blood vessel cutting portion for cutting a branch of a blood vessel to be removed;

a second support member and a third support member which are movable to advance and return along the second channel and the third channel, respectively, and which are arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the inserting portion on an opposite side of the endoscope from the first support member, each of the second and third support members having a base end and a front end, and the front ends of the second and third support members being connected to a blood vessel holding member for holding the blood vessel;

an operating portion which is provided to the grip portion and which is operable to advance and return the blood vessel holding member and the blood vessel cutting portion in the longitudinal direction of the inserting portion; and

an air feed portion which feeds gas in the inserting portion so as to discharge the gas from an opening arranged in a front end surface of the front end of the inserting portion, the opening being adjacent to an endoscope opening portion of the endoscope channel;

wherein the gas is fed to and discharged from the opening via the air feed portion;

wherein the blood vessel holding member comprises a blood vessel keeping bed provided between the second support member and the third support member at the front ends of the second and third support members, the blood vessel keeping bed being movable to travel along the longitudinal direction of the inserting portion while remaining between the second support member and the third support member and while keeping a part of the blood vessel in contact with the blood vessel keeping bed;

wherein the second support member holds the blood vessel keeping bed such that the blood vessel keeping bed advances and returns along the longitudinal direction of the inserting portion in accordance with movement of the second support member; and

wherein the third support member is movable to advance and return with respect to the blood vessel keeping bed, such that the third support member is movable to return from the blood vessel keeping bed toward the front end of the inserting portion to open a closed space for accommodating the blood vessel, the closed space being formed by the blood vessel keeping bed, the second support member, and the third support member.

2. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the blood vessel cutting portion comprises an electric knife.

3. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the blood vessel cutting portion comprises a bipolar cutter.

4. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the grip portion comprises an actuator for causing a window portion at a front end portion of the endoscope to be cleaned.

5. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the grip portion comprises an aperture to receive an input responsive to manipulation by an operator, wherein the received input causes deposited material to be removed from a window portion of a front end portion of the endoscope.

6. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the blood vessel cutting portion has a planar shape.

7. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the blood vessel cutting portion comprises a planar bipolar cutter.

8. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the blood vessel holding member holds the blood vessel at a predetermined portion when the second support member and the third support member are simultaneously moved in the longitudinal direction, and the second support member and the third support member connected to the blood vessel keeping bed are stopped to keep the blood vessel parallel to the longitudinal direction.

9. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the part of the blood vessel that is kept in contact with the blood vessel keeping bed is a part of the branch of the blood vessel.

10. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the blood vessel keeping bed has an arcuate surface and keeps the part of the blood vessel in contact with the arcuate surface.

11. A method for treating a blood vessel in a living-body tissue, the method comprising:

observing an inside of the living-body tissue by an observing portion provided in an inner space of an inserting portion adapted for insertion into the living-body tissue;

holding a predetermined blood vessel in the living-body tissue by a blood vessel holding portion;

cutting a branch of the predetermined blood vessel by a cutting portion, which is movable forward from a front end of the inserting portion, while holding the predetermined blood vessel by the blood vessel holding portion, wherein the blood vessel holding portion has two support members a first support member and a second support member which are movable to advance and return through two channels in the inserting portion, respectively, and wherein the predetermined blood vessel is held by the blood vessel holding portion at a position between the first and second support members while a position of the branch of the predetermined blood vessel is viewed by the observing portion; and

forming, with a gas, a space at a periphery of the predetermined blood vessel and at a periphery of the branch of the predetermined blood vessel by discharging the gas forward from a front end surface of the inserting portion when cutting the branch of the predetermined blood vessel while holding the predetermined blood vessel;

wherein the cutting of the branch of the predetermined blood vessel while holding the predetermined blood vessel is performed with the blood vessel holding portion and the cutting portion arranged on opposite sides of a longitudinal central axis of the observing portion;

wherein the blood vessel holding portion and the cutting portion advance and return substantially in parallel to a longitudinal direction of the observing portion;

wherein the holding of the blood vessel by the blood vessel holding portion is performed with a blood vessel keeping bed, which is provided between the first and second support members at front ends of the first and second support members, the blood vessel keeping bed being movable along a longitudinal direction of the inserting portion while remaining between the first and second support members and while keeping a part of the blood vessel in contact with the blood vessel keeping bed;

wherein the first support member holds the blood vessel keeping bed such that the blood vessel keeping bed advances and returns along the longitudinal direction of the inserting portion in accordance with movement of the first support member; and

wherein the second support member is movable to advance and return with respect to the blood vessel keeping bed, such that the second support member is movable to return from the blood vessel keeping bed toward the front end of the inserting portion to open a closed space for accommodating the blood vessel, the closed space being formed by the blood vessel keeping bed, the first support member, and the second support member.

Images